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  • Get to Be Happy: Stories and Secrets to Loving the Sh*t Out Of Life

  • By: Ted Larkins
  • Narrated by: Ted Larkins
  • Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (60 ratings)

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Get to Be Happy: Stories and Secrets to Loving the Sh*t Out Of Life

By: Ted Larkins
Narrated by: Ted Larkins
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Publisher's summary

The secret to my happiness started during my high school days (yes, drugs were involved) and continued through hitchhiking across the country, through the suicide of my girlfriend, through bartending in many cities around the country, and then a move to Japan. I lived there for nine years, helping start a $500 million business, including a LARKINS (my last name) line of product, finding enlightenment and meditating in Zen temples in the mountains of Hiroshima, meeting Mother Teresa in Calcutta, partying with Bon Jovi, experiencing the death of my business partner and then the loss of my daughter, and all the life lessons that come with the following statement: I get to do this!

©2017 Ted Larkins (P)2018 Ted Larkins
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What listeners say about Get to Be Happy: Stories and Secrets to Loving the Sh*t Out Of Life

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“Get to” read this book!

I really enjoyed listening to this book for a bunch of reasons. Mr. Larkins is a great storyteller - entertaining, honest, and raw. Time flew by listening to this audiobook which helps my long commute.

Mr. Larkins does a superb job of narrating his own book. Hearing the words come from the source ensures that you’re getting all the right emphasis in all the right places. Literally hearing the enthusiasm and zest for life that comes across in his narration goes right to the heart!

Most importantly though are the lessons to learn - Mr. Larkins’ “Get To” principle - really sticks with you right away and I’ve already started applying it to my daily life, many times throughout the day.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Positive Perspective

It's easy to digest, the narration is fantastic, and the stories vary from fun to eye-opening. If you're having a bad day, or if you need something light to pick you up through a hard situation then this is the perfect step forward on a journey to change your thinking.

This book is unique in it's approach to the subject, and how it unfolds. It's part memoir, and part self-help. Ted takes the reader (or listener in my case) on a journey that starts in the midwest and culminates in Hollywood. Throughout the way, we go through a series of life's ups and downs, and Ted shows us that treating this journey as an experience allows you to detach and find enjoyment in surprising things.


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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Spirits trucking led my forlorn soul searching 4 answers to my plight

MrLarkins clear voice& first sample , I I quickly added to my Audible ! Indeed his editor was correct! His rare rawness, infuse descriptions of the journeys he alone experiences; along with the exercise at end of chapters: instilled new HAPPINESS within me!
Tho his life often mingled with rich& famous of Hollywood dreams one might have dreamed of, he was never boast-full! I will be 70 tomorrow and with new breath of Happiness I will , well it began after the first few chapters! I GETTO SMILE BE HAPPY! Relooking back into so many life's difficulties, squeezing out only the memories to appreciate and moving on with a refreshed outlook.
Tho the Author& I have never met, I do feel through his words, he becomes a person to you whom you will through these electronic THREADS an enlightenment will connect! I am for ever great full and hopefully the years ahead I can become evermore a shining light to others! KD-2

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great reminder to look in the bright side

While reading this book i cake across a man I a wheel chair that i got to help finish a journey up the easy coast home. Thanks for the Inspiration!!

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Best Companion the the Written Version

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Recommend to anyone who wants to be happier, wants to listen to some great stories, learn from a self-proclaimed "non-guru." Ted's authentic voice shines through and lights up LIFE.

What did you like best about this story?

Dramatic interpretation, better than so many narrated stories.

What about Ted Larkins’s performance did you like?

Authenticity.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All the stories, and then how he gives practical tips, exercises. I really like the fact that despite (or because of) so many adventures, including difficulties, the "Get To" principle seems that much more real and applicable.

Any additional comments?

Buy the book and enjoy the listen!

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2 people found this helpful

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A Must Read: Inspirational, Unique, and Entertaining

Wow! What an awesome read! I read the book (hard copy) but wanted to hear it on Audible since the author is also the narrator - and I’m so glad I did! I started listening to the book while I was getting ready for work this morning and during my 30 minute commute, then when I reached the parking lot of my building, I could not stop. So I stayed in the car until it was done, did a couple of the exercises and went about my day with a whole new perspective. Aside from the amazing life stories (that at times had me laughing out loud or in tears) and the great exercises at the end of each chapter, I had so many moments of clarity about my own life and my own experiences while I was listening to it. His attitude towards the highs and the lows of his life (and there were many) - and how he approaches them all with a smile, kindness, and enthusiasm is truly infectious. What inspired me the most was his “yes” approach to living this life he gets to live - which opened so many doors for him and resulted in great successes, deep friendships, unique experiences, and these incredible stories he gets to tell us!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating memoir with helpful "Get to" advice

Where does Get to Be Happy: Stories and Secrets to Loving the Sh*t Out Of Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love self-help books focussed on a combination of mindfulness and practicality. My favorites up to now have been The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Covey), Why Buddhism is True (Wright), and the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success (Chopra). In Get to Be Happy, Larkins has approached these same topics from a fresh, personal perspective. The book is more a memoir than a self-help book, and therein lies its fabulous and unique contribution. Larkins shares both his greatest triumphs and is saddest tragedies with the reader, and after each episode explains to the reader how applying his "Get to" attitude carried him through. I highly recommend the audio version because Larkins' genuine passion is even more apparent then in the written version - at times the listener can hear the author well up in tears, other times his joyful and passionate tone is intoxicating.

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11 people found this helpful

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Get to (smile) read this

I laughed. I cried. I smiled (a lot). I giggled (a lot of that too). And I felt profound gratitude that this man chose to share his perspective with the world by way of his beautiful life story.
Anyone, at any point in their life, will find something to take away from this book. You get to do this thing we call life...how are you choosing to live it ?

🕉🧡🙏🏼

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Motivating book

I loved the audiobook. Is very motivating and actually gives you great assignments. Definitely worth listening

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Remember my happy

I genuinely enjoyed listening to Ted’s book. His stories about his life were powerful passionate inspiring and happy. It made me laugh out loud and sad and remember that life is the one thing we choose to really enjoy and live it the best way we can. He helped me to remember my happy life and I’m grateful for that.
Thank you!

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